Tagged: dealman

Pippa Middleton arrived at St. George’s Chapel for Saturday’s royal wedding in a $695 green-and-pink floral dress by British brand The Fold.

But while her look fit right in with the ceremony’s unofficial color palette — both Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, also wore shades of green — Middleton, 34, is drawing some rather uncanny comparisons on social media, due to her dress’s striking resemblance to a container of Arizona iced tea.

Sure, you might say the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was entirely about “love” and “bringing the nation together”. NO. WRONG. It was entirely about who wore what (and which of Harry’s ex girlfriends would show up, and will anyone make a supreme, global embarrassment of themselves by sitting in the wrong seat).

I’m here to help you with the who wore what, because if you were anything like me last night you were 40 sheets to the wind on Pimm’s and screaming at that lovely but delusional bishop to shut the fuck up, so you probably missed all the good shit. Here we go.

Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Just quietly I don’t know shit about the royals or their fancy-pants socialite mates, but this is apparently Fiona Shackleton and she looks DAMN good. I mean yes, it’s all extremely matchy-matchy but old folks like to do that shit and if you’re gonna match your entire ensemble, at least make it in an array of complementary shades like Fiona has.

Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

These people didn’t get names on Getty and ceebs googling, but I really like this tea dress. The pattern is beaut, the shape is extremely flattering and her hat is only mildly offensive.

Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Not everyone will agree with me here but sue me – I’ve got a bit of a Marie Antoinette obsession and the velvet/ruffle vibe is doing it for me here. Love the colour, love that it’s a bit of a point of difference, choosing to purposely ignore the mollusc fascinator.

Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The fascinator was one of my most hated, but the dress is one of my faves. Yeah, yeah – it’s basically a Realisation Par/Auguste The Label frock but I love both of those brands. Quick tip – if you’re even hating the fuck out of your body (stop that but also it bloody happens sometimes to the lot of us) and you have to go to something fancy, buy a wrap dress. They NEVER FAIL YOU. This gal probably ate 4 Big Macs last night because her boyfriend was being a fuckhead and she also had a serious case of PMS, but you wouldn’t know it bc THE WRAP DRESS FORGIVES ALL. I’m serious.

Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

GUYS I totally forgot about Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford, and their cute romantic story about how they were childhood besties who fell in love as adults. Anyway, that aside they both look smokin’ here – love the long coat (tails? haha who cares!) on Marcus and Carrie’s tea dress is the best of all the (numerous) wedding tea dresses we saw.

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Petition for Tom Hardy to NEVER SHAVE HIS HEAD AGAIN, I barely recognised His Royal Hotness sans hair, but also mad props to his wife for killing the fashion game with that dress and – dare I say it – that hat. It’s zesty but appropriate, I love it.

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I mean, it’s Posh and Becks. You knew she was going to show up in some insanely structured, bordering-on-office-wear outfit that should be boring but instead is amazing, and he was going to look like a snack in a v. British suit, and that’s exactly what they did.

Ian West – WPA Pool/Getty Images

My MVP, my MVP, my MVP. Gina Torres – one of Meghan’s co-stars on Suits, had the best dress, the best hat, the best everything. Okay, slightly less points bc the hat is essentially an oversized fedora but given there were so many that were worse, she’s forgiven. And THE DRESS. That colour? The sheer! The pattern! Dead.

Credit: Chris Radburn – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Is Amal even human? She’s not, right. She’s like the Second Coming of Christ and we are all oblivious to it. Like you can’t be THAT good a human and THAT smart and THAT beautiful and also be well dressed. Something is going on.

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Is it just me or do you get a little evil tingle in your heart about Harry’s two most important exes (this is Cressida Bonas, btw) going to his wedding? Idk, it’s gross but I get the tingle. Anyway, this is how you show up to your ex’s wedding – you look hot, but not TOO hot, and you absolutely wear the zestiest outfit you own bc if you start crying later, everyone will be distracted by the pattern on your dress.

Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

This lady is called Lady Kitty Spencer, and god knows why the Brits insist on stupid children’s names well into adulthood – see also “Bunny”, “RoRo” and “Willy”. Anyway, I hate the material of this dress but for some reason – maybe it’s the great hat, maybe it’s the fantastic accessories… I like it?

Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Look at these women all together and they’re a vision. Look separately and only navy dress (one of my fave looks btw) and floral dress are killing it. I don’t even like Priyanka Chopra’s suit thing. But together – magnifique.

Credit: Ian West – WPA Pool/Getty Images

I’m such a sucker for vintage 60’s and 70’s vibes, and this dress has that in spades. Plus I like the shoes even though they’re a bit strange.

Credit Ian West – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Old British folk love these weird suit-coat-dresses, and apparently Kate Middleton’s mum is one of those folks. I’m generally not a fan of the style but she works it well with all the matchy-matchy. Like I said, the old people love the matchy-matchy!

Credit: Chris Radburn – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Serena looked SO good except for her dumb hat thing. But SO FUCKING GOOD OTHERWISE, right?

Credit: Ian West- WPA Pool/Getty Images

I’m obsessed with this green dress but I’m horrified by those white sunglasses. WHY ARE YOU WEARING SUNGLASSES AT A ROYAL WEDDING MATE.

Credit: Ian West – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Who bloody knew Patrick J. Adams from Suits was married to PLL’s Troian Bellisario? Not bloody me! Troian looks a bit beige (well, she is wearing entirely beige) but IDK, maybe it’s the fringe teamed with the dress giving it serious Jackie O 60’s vibes but I’m into it.

Credit: Ian West – WPA Pool/Getty Images

This hat needs to be binned but goddamn how good is maroon. Burgundy? Whatever, the deep wine-red shade spectrum, all v good. Also – THOSE SHOES.

Credit: Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

LIZ. Fucking Queen Lizzie. I mean she has her style niche and she just sticks with it – wool coat, court shoes, expensive handbag, gloves. I might be the only one who likes lime green on Our Queen but fuck it guys, she’s like 500 years old and she can still work fluoro? Give that woman a fashion medal.

The average American woman wears between a size 16-18, according to research. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

One of the more cringe-worthy moments in the 2006 movie, The Devil Wears Prada, about the struggles of aspiring-journalist Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, working for Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), editor of fictional Runway magazine, happens in the office cafeteria.

Andy observes to art director Nigel, played by the amazing Stanley Tucci, that all the other girls at the magazine don’t eat anything. He says, “Not since two became the new four and zero became the new two.” Andy answers that she is a size six, to which he quips, “Which is the new fourteen.”

Shame on the fat-shaming industry

That in a nutshell is all anyone needs to know about how the fashion industry views its plus-size customers: She simply doesn’t fit. The average American woman wears between a size 16-18, according to research from assistant professor Deborah Christel, at Washington State University’s Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles. She has made it her mission to wake the industry up to its inherent fat biases by teaching a class to expose “weight discrimination as a social justice issue.”

Tim Gunn, long-time chair of fashion design at Parsons The New School of Design, who went on to Liz Claiborne as chief creative officer and then gained famed as mentor on Project Runway, took the industry to task back in 2016 in a Washington Post op-ed. “Designers refuse to make clothes to fit American women. It’s a disgrace,” he wrote.

Demand for all-inclusive sizing

The industry has been slow to learn the lesson, but finally it is taking Gunn’s message to heart. Nordstrom is now expanding its plus-size selections to include 100 brands and integrating them in with its core size range, rather than segregating it into a separate “Woman’s” department, where the shopper is reminded that she doesn’t belong where the real fashion is.

The company, however, said it will still maintain a separate plus-size department for convenience, but its “size-inclusive” initiative will give size 14 shoppers access to the same styles as her size 2 shopping companion. “In our opinion, petite and plus sizes shouldn’t be considered special categories. They’re just sizes,” a company statement said. Now Nordstrom shoppers can select from extended size offerings from inclusive brands like Topshop, Rag & Bone, Theory and J. Crew’s Madewell on the same rack.

Specialty fashion retailer Express is also broadening its range of sizes from 00 to 18, but only in 130 stores out of its total base of 600 full-priced and factory stores. “What we hear constantly from consumers is the lack of fashion styles in the sizes they need. We are excited to make this first step in the journey toward a more inclusive shopping experience,” the company said in a statement.

And none too soon, with women’s fashion retail sales on a steady decline since 2012. From its zenith of $41.8 billion, it has dropped 5.6% to $39.4 billion in 2017, according to the Census Dept. Monthly Retail Trade Survey.

By contrast, the women’s plus size fashion market is on a roll: up 38% from two years ago, reports Katie Smith, retail analysis & insights director at EDITED, which provides real-time data analytics to the fashion industry. “The plus size market is the fastest-growing segment in the U.S., but it still accounts for 1.6% of the market, which is baffling when you consider 67% of women in the U.S. wear a size 14 or larger,” she says.

Women know how they want to dress; they don’t need designers to tell them

It is sad that the fashion industry had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the revolutionary idea of size inclusiveness. But the overwhelming majority of women–plus size women–are demanding it. This is a kind of disruption that the industry can actually respond to proactively, if it only is willing to embrace the new image of the modern woman.

“For too long, the industry has been entirely blinded to the fact that a consumer can be plus size and passionate about high-quality clothing and have the money to shop for it,” Smith says. “Social media has helped fuel discussion around inclusivity, acceptance and is challenging old stereotypes. The Gen Y and Z consumers are far more open-minded and inclusive than any other consumer before them. And their impact on luxury, advertising and beauty has been, and will continue to be, enormous. The increased body-positivity these consumers are creating is finally hooking the fashion industry.”

The fashion industry is now in the unfamiliar, and for many the uncomfortable position of following rather than leading the consumer. “No longer is the fashion industry able to push its agenda onto consumers, instead consumers are pulling the industry forward.”

Plus puts new demands on designers

Besides the fact that plus-size women don’t look like the women many fashion designers want to dress, designing plus-sized clothing requires greater expertise and awareness of how to dress the real woman’s body, not designers’ favorite 6-foot-tall, size-00 model.

“This is a design failure and not a customer issue,” Gunn wrote in his 2016 op-ed. “There is no reason larger women 1can’t look just as fabulous as all other women. The key is the harmonious balance of silhouette, proportion and fit, regardless of size or shape.”

Speaking to the design challenges, and opportunities, of dressing the plus-size woman, Kim Camarella-Khanbeigi, founder of Kiyonna and an early pioneer in plus-size fashion, says, “The fit is science,” she says. “You can’t just grade up and expect the style to flatter and fit the same.” She started Kiyonna in 1996 to serve the specialty retail market and moved online in 1999. Today her brand is carried by 250 stores nationwide, as well as being available on its own website, Amazon and Zappos. Kiyonna also operates a flagship store called the Upstairs Boutique in Anaheim.

Kiyonna

Mademoiselle Sapphire dress

“What’s ready for disruption is the stereotypes about the curvy customer. Styled right and wearing something that fits, she exudes attractiveness,” Camarella-Khanbeigi says, as she notes the business opportunity to dress the curvy woman is great and growing. “There is a beautiful, curvy customer counting on it.”

The look of luxury in plus size

To date, luxury brands and retailers have been the most resistant to embracing the plus-size woman. Smith reports EDITED data shows that only about 0.1% of the luxury and premium market is plus sized. “What luxury brands don’t seem to pay attention to is that plus-size shoppers are already their customers, be it of their beauty, perfume, footwear, accessories or leather goods lines, rather than apparel,” Smith says.

While it is true that affluent women are less likely than lower-income women to be plus sized, it is safe to assume that at least 25-33% or more of the nation’s affluent women don’t fit into the luxury industry’s standard 0-12 size range. The latest available data from the CDC on women’s obesity levels by income confirms this, with its finding that over one-fourth of the highest-income women (specifically women with household incomes 350% above poverty level) are classified as obese (BMI of 30 or higher) and that isn’t even counting women who are simply overweight.

Gucci for one has paid attention and offers an increasing range of styles in large and XL sizes. It will also help Nordstrom fill its racks as it broadens its plus-size offerings. Smith advises the rest of the luxury industry to wake up. The plus-size luxury fashion market is growing and these women have the means and desires to dress as fashionably as her size 0 counterpart.

“Plus-size celebrities and influencers now have very visible global platforms for voicing their frustrations with an industry that can’t dress them. With social attitudes towards inclusivity shifting rapidly, luxury brands don’t want to lag in this opportunity,” Smith declares.

It’s been less than two weeks since Rihanna launched her Savage x Fenty lingerie line, and as expected, the fervor around the collection is, well, bonkers. Thanks to its many shades of nude, large size run, and hard to get your hand on product, fans across the world have been eager to give the collection a try. So were we—and that’s why we found 20 women who range from size 32A to 40DD, brought them into the ELLE.com offices, and had them review bras from the collection. Here’s what they had to say.

Helen, 32C

Helen is wearing the Unlined Lace Bra, $44; savagex.com

“When I heard Rihanna was launching a lingerie collection a light bulb went on over my head. I thought, ‘Oh I see, Rihanna wants allthe money in my bank account, not just a little!’

The bra is really comfortable! I get to wear my true size 32C and that is amazing. Also, I was able to find nude tones that did not exist before. The bra is just as good if not better than anything I have had. Also I want to support Rihanna! I think that its important to speak with you wallet. Not just social media, or Facebook, but to use your hard-earned dollars to support business. It feels good to support a newcomer who is changing the game.”

Halle, 40D

Halle is wearing the Floral Mesh Lace Bra, $44; savagex.com

SAVANNA RUEDY

Mabel, 34A

“I’m a 34A so it’s difficult to find a bra that looks good and feels nice but the Savage X bra was super flattering. Best of both worlds. I was expecting to see super padded bras, lace, and maybe a bit of S&M when I got to the ELLE.com offices. Now, it’s clear that the collection is sexy but tasteful. I’ve never felt confident in lingerie before the day of the shoot.“

Cheyenne, 34B

Cheyenne is wearing the Microfiber T-Shirt Bra, $39

“As someone who rarely wears bras, especially not underwire, I was genuinely surprised at how comfortable and supportive the bra was! These bras are truly made for the female form and there is no compromising between wanting to look and feel your best. Even the most comfortable of fitting bras have tiny details that make you feel sexy and beautiful. There is no exaggeration here: Rih has done it again!”

Caroline, 34D

Caroline is wearing the Unlined Lace Bra, $44

“The lacy bra I shot in felt amazing. Super soft with great quality fabric, the fit was exceptional and the aqua color with the rose gold hardware is such a gorgeous, sexy touch! This bra was one of the best fitting bras I’ve worn in a while.”

Juni, 38B

Juni is wearing the Mesh and Lace Bra, $49

“One of Fenty Beauty’s tag lines is ‘Beauty for All’ so I was really excited as a person of color and as someone who has a hard time looking for bras in general to see how this tagline would translate to a whole lingerie line. I usually have to try on four different sizes in one brand before I get the right fit, but I really just used the last bra size that I bought (from Aerie) and it fit perfectly, cups and band together. The material is so comfortable, too.”

Jenna, 40DD

Jenna is wearing the Floral Mesh Lace Bra, $44

SAVANNA RUEDY

“When I heard Rihanna was launching a lingerie line, I was interested and hoping that plus sizes would be included. I didn’t want to get my hopes up because most celeb collections aren’t size inclusive. I’m frankly used to being let down because their sizes are extremely lacking. It feels like she just dipped her toe in the plus size pool, but didn’t take the plunge. Stopping at a size 18/DD, when a 14/D is the “average” size of the American woman, is really the bare minimum where plus sizes are concerned.

I was beyond excited to hear plus sizes were included, but then let down again when I saw the size chart. I applaud Rihanna for taking a step in the right direction by attempting to expand options, but also want her to know there is still too many people who cannot participate in wearing and supporting her brand with such limited sizing. I will say, though, that I really appreciate the lack of padding in this bra. It gave me the room for adjustment that padding in other bras has always restricted. My boobs could be themselves and still look lifted and stylish. “pledged

Kristina, 36B

Kristina is wearing the Demi Cup Bra, $44

SAVANNA RUEDY

“I didn’t even need to see the lingerie to know I’d want her entire line. Everything Rihanna touches turns to Trophy Wife gold. While the bra I tried on was a basic t-shirt bra, I did love that there was an element of sexy with the bit of lace on the cups. Plus, I loved the soft feel of the fabric. The size also fit perfectly—there was no gap between my chest and the band and the cups fit me perfectly with no empty space, all the while pushing everything up to give nice cleavage without heavy padding.”

Paola, 38D

Paola is wearing the Floral Mesh Lace Bra, $44

“After I read and heard the awesome reviews for Fenty Beauty, I knew that Savage X wouldn’t disappoint. There was an instant feel of comfort with a generous dash of sexy. Better than my past bra experiences.”

Jordan, 36C

Jordan is wearing the Push Up Bra, $44; savagex.com

“I struggle to find bras that fit my girls just right, and my bra size typically varies depending on the brand. I’m a true 36C and the bra I tried on fit very true to size. The fabric was extremely comfortable and there was just enough padding to push up my breasts while still feeling extremely comfortable.”

Krystal, 38D

Krystal is wearing the Floral Mesh Lace Bra, $44

“I thought the options would all be sexy bras with cutouts, but she also had full coverage bras in a variety of color ways. One thing I do wish is that the straps in the back could tighten a little more for girls like me with heavier boobs.”

Rosa, 38C

Rosa is wearing the Mesh and Lace Bra, $49

“The bra that I tried on had no padding which I love. It is still supportive without adding bulk. Feminine and pretty, I was surprised at the quality and the fit. It felt great on!”

Contessa, 32D

Contessa is wearing the Unlined Lace Bra, $44

“These undergarments are comfy yet sexy, priced appropriately, and will jump start summer 2018. Give Rih your money and stop playing. Enchantress Fenty is doing her best to include everyone in the conversation—obviously, inclusivity is the only way to go—so I assumed the same would apply to this. Compared to other bras, this one is pretty good; I’m not mad at how it looked. The color was pretty and the fit was nice, not too tight but had support.

Destiny, 32A

Destiny is wearing the Unlined Lace Bra, $44

“The bra I wore seemed similar to others I’ve tried on in the past. But what I can say is I love the style of it all and how it fit so perfectly for my little bitties.”

Sheena, 36DD

Sheena is wearing the Unlined Lace Bra, $44

SAVANNA RUEDY

“Rihanna’s goal is to include everyone: Big, small, light, dark you name it. Over all, these are better than other bras I’ve tried in the past. I love the lightweight feel and it’s so soft so it gets an A from me.”

Nana, 36DD

Nana is wearing the Unlined Lace Bra, $44

“It’s difficult for me to find a sexy, supportive bra and this was really sexy but lacked support. For larger, heavier breasts this is a sexy short-term wear bra. One you don’t expect to keep on long enough to really care. If you are looking for a sexy supportive bra this might not be it. At least not for me.”

Analisa, 34D

Analisa is wearing the Demi Cup Bra, $44

“While I’m normally a 34C, I ended up fitting best in a sister size, a 34D. This bra was way better than bras I’ve tried in the past that have tried to hit the sexy meets functional mark, but sorely missed. This bra didn’t dig in anywhere, had just the right amount of lift to be a normal t-shirt bra. I couldn’t feel the underwire at all.”

Semita, 32DD

Semita is wearing the Demi Cup Bra, $44

“I thought everything would be more sexy and stand out but, to be honest they look like regular under garments. I wish they were more unique or made me think that I needed them in my life. That being said, the bra was really soft and comfortable to wear, which is a good thing, but in terms of looks, I think it looks like a normal bra.

Adaora, 36D

Adaora is wearing the Mesh and Lace Bra, $49

“I thought the bras would have a more edgy or lingerie look to them. They were just like any standard bras which was not what I was expecting at all, but you don’t normally get pretty colors when you get to bra my size so I was excited about that. I do wish, though, the support for ‘ the girls’ could have been better.“

Bree, 38DD

Bree is wearing the Mesh and Lace Bra, $49

“After the Fenty beauty launch, I think we all realized Rihanna didn’t come to play, so I had the highest expectations for quality and aesthetics for this line. This bra was so amazing I didn’t want to give it back. It made me feel sexy and comfortable, and it was so detailed. Finding bras in my size that look like this one and actually fit well, is really hard, so knowing she has a plethora in this collection makes me want to sign over my direct deposit to her name.”

Kate Middleton joined Prince William and the soon-to-be-newlyweds Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for a wedding rehearsal in Windsor. While this marked the duchess’s first public drive through town since giving birth to baby Louis, she appeared bright — and that probably had something to do with her dress.

Kate chose a lovely floral Michael Michael Kors shirtdress ($175) for the occasion, which is a breezy number that was probably pretty comfortable for the day’s agenda. The duchess accessorized with oversize Givenchy sunglasses.

While Meghan opted for an ivory bodysuit blouse and gorgeous diamonds to prepare for the ceremony, Kate’s laid-back, free-spirited outfit is definitely our speed this time of year. Read on for another glimpse, then check out Kate’s exact design and shop plenty of similar looks.

If you ever want to know how not to dress your bridesmaids, then watch the romantic comedy 27 Dresses.

Although the protagonist’s collection of hideous bridesmaid gowns is slightly over the top, most bridesmaids can attest to the fact that they’ve been forced to wear a dress that they hated or never ever want to wear again.

Fortunately, 10 years have passed since the movie was first released, and things are looking up for style-starved maids. The bridal world now takes its cues from the runways, with fashion trends inspiring not only bridal designers but big brands and high-profile talents to create collections specifically for this lucrative market.

“The bridesmaid category has become a lot more exciting. When we started in 2011 bridesmaid dresses were very standardised and consisted of one fabric – usually chiffon – and a limited colour palette of pastels. Now designers and brides are borrowing trends from ready-to-wear and thinking outside the traditional box,” says Cecile Chen, founder of Trinity Bridal.

Take for example, Hong Kong bride Feiping Chang, whose storybook wedding in Capri was covered by high-profile publications such as Vogue. Instead of cookie-cutter bridesmaid gowns, she opted for various styles designed by friend and Self Portrait designer Han Chong.

“I knew I wanted my bridesmaids to wear white, which most people tend to shy away from. Together we chose a selection of styles that would fit each girl’s body as well as their personal style. So overall, the dresses looked consistent but each was something unique that they could also wear again,” says Chang.

While individuality is important for modern bridesmaids, so are trends. Many are experimenting with fun prints like the patchwork florals popularised by British designer Richard Quinn while silhouettes have transitioned from conservative Grecian styles to the more fashionable cold shoulder and off-the-shoulder looks. When it comes to colour, many brides tend to err on the side of caution and opt for pastels, but there is also a return to bold shades such as yellow and blue.

Location also plays a role in determining bridesmaid dresses. Traditional venues such as hotels are becoming less popular thanks to the emergence of destination weddings. Exotic, off-the-beaten track locales have allowed bridesmaids to do away with formal styles and opt for fun and fresh looks instead.

“I usually advise destination bridesmaids to mix and match dresses with varied and multi-dimensional aesthetics. Colour choices can also be more modern and include navy, dove grey or even black. Instead of a flowy dress, you can experiment with jumpsuits and more structured dresses which look more contemporary,” advises Jacqueline Au, founder and creative director of The Loft Bridal.

A demand for more modern styles has also meant that brides can explore beyond the usual stable of specialised brands and opt for creations by ready-to-wear fashion brands like Needle & Thread and Caroline Constans. While purchasing off-the-rack can be tricky when you have larger groups to dress, it still opens a whole new world of possibilities in terms of fashion choices.

“Popular brands include Self Portrait and Red Valentino for entry-level price point while Zimmerman is ideal for a summer garden party type wedding. Valentino, Rochas, Erdem all offer beautiful dresses that could work for a bridesmaid. For more traditional dresses, Elie Saab and Maria Lucia Hohan are great,” says Suzanne Pendlebury, buying manager at matchesfashion.com.

Another easy way to inject a modern touch to your bridesmaid look is through accessories such as jewellery, hair pieces and shoes, all of which add a touch of personality and an element of surprise.

“Sometimes when you follow runway trends the photos can look out of date after a few years. I would still keep the dress refined but play with jewellery, be it chunky bold pieces a la Celine or maximalist Gucci-style with layers of pearls and crystals. Even if you are stuck wearing a cookie-cutter dress, you are able to inject a bit of your own personality through accessories,” says Au.

A final note of caution to all bridesmaids. While looking good may be your top priority, it’s not necessarily the bride’s. Avoid a Pippa Middleton situation and keep your choices stylish yet discreet. Your big day will come eventually.